I'm in the process of replacing/building the floor sections on the 58 Pathfinder Sedan Delivery. I am planning on leaving the bench seat, the only seat in this beast. The question is, what have others done as far as installing seat belts for these older cars. I would think lap belts would be the easy ones to install. Thanks
oshawacliff said
Nov 7, 2021
Try the search feature of the site
Many entries about 2 and 3 point mounting.
I purchased 3 .point for my 67 Impala as the mounting point was in the roof rail from the factory starting in 67.
Excellent contact by seatbeltsolutions.com
Many emails back and forth.
Belts installed by local trim shop after new headliner
Waiting for my drivers licence to be reinstated so I can roadtest the new set up
cdnpont said
Nov 7, 2021
I've never done a install that didn't have the anchor nuts and reinforcements in place. But as far as the attachments behind the seat, you could add, say, a 3x3" floating reinforcement plate behind and in the tunnel with the nut tacked on.
The sill attachments will be more tricky, as you will need the same kind of reinforcement as the tunnel, but you likely can't get behind the sill. You'd have to cut a slot, say 1x4", make a heavy plate, shape it, slip it in the slot, pull it up and reweld it in place with the nut attached. I'm thinking the floor pan material on the older car will be more than heavy enough to keep the plate in place during an event.
Find a 67 and above GM to harvest the belts and reel retractor out of. Or buy new from the many suppliers. You'll want a retractor at the sill IF it will clear the door, no clearance, then just a loose belt with a 1965 style retractor, and a sliding buckle on the tunnel side. You'll be glad you have any kind of retractor to keep the loose belt out of the closing door. Use grade 8, 1/2-20 bolts and nuts, and SAE washers if you don't have the factory fasteners. Most belts will have at least a 1/2" hole in the mounting plate.
The only concern is how the buckle side will pass through the seat. On 65 and up cars, a slot was provided in the bench for this. Maybe it will just pass up under the seatback? Cheers and good luck.
NOS said
Nov 7, 2021
if you are dealing with Seatbelt Solutions I believe all the required hardware and installations are included in the kit; but hey; give them a call; They are easy and helpful. Also their belts meet all safety requirements. A lot of after market belts don't !
dale
DonSSDD said
Nov 8, 2021
I think seat belts were an option before 58 so the floor brace would have the welded nut for the seat belts. They would have allowed for only 2 belts in front. If you have a 58 Chev assembly manual, it should show dealt belt option in the RPO section at the rear. This would work for factory lap belts.
top down said
Nov 8, 2021
Thanks for all the info,I now have more research to do. Thanks again.
I'm in the process of replacing/building the floor sections on the 58 Pathfinder Sedan Delivery. I am planning on leaving the bench seat, the only seat in this beast. The question is, what have others done as far as installing seat belts for these older cars. I would think lap belts would be the easy ones to install. Thanks
Try the search feature of the site
Many entries about 2 and 3 point mounting.
I purchased 3 .point for my 67 Impala as the mounting point was in the roof rail from the factory starting in 67.
Excellent contact by seatbeltsolutions.com
Many emails back and forth.
Belts installed by local trim shop after new headliner
Waiting for my drivers licence to be reinstated so I can roadtest the new set up
I've never done a install that didn't have the anchor nuts and reinforcements in place. But as far as the attachments behind the seat, you could add, say, a 3x3" floating reinforcement plate behind and in the tunnel with the nut tacked on.
The sill attachments will be more tricky, as you will need the same kind of reinforcement as the tunnel, but you likely can't get behind the sill. You'd have to cut a slot, say 1x4", make a heavy plate, shape it, slip it in the slot, pull it up and reweld it in place with the nut attached. I'm thinking the floor pan material on the older car will be more than heavy enough to keep the plate in place during an event.
Find a 67 and above GM to harvest the belts and reel retractor out of. Or buy new from the many suppliers. You'll want a retractor at the sill IF it will clear the door, no clearance, then just a loose belt with a 1965 style retractor, and a sliding buckle on the tunnel side. You'll be glad you have any kind of retractor to keep the loose belt out of the closing door. Use grade 8, 1/2-20 bolts and nuts, and SAE washers if you don't have the factory fasteners. Most belts will have at least a 1/2" hole in the mounting plate.
The only concern is how the buckle side will pass through the seat. On 65 and up cars, a slot was provided in the bench for this. Maybe it will just pass up under the seatback? Cheers and good luck.
if you are dealing with Seatbelt Solutions I believe all the required hardware and installations are included in the kit; but hey; give them a call; They are easy and helpful. Also their belts meet all safety requirements. A lot of after market belts don't !
dale